Instruments of the King's will

Thursday 20 January 1994 00:02 BST

Click to followThe Independent Online

THE HENRY VIII powers take their name from the dictatorial powers used by King Henry VIII (1491-1547). According to one reference work on Parliament, during his reign, the power of the Crown reached its height, and although he ruled theoretically through Parliament, the legislature became, in reality, nothing more than the instrument of the King's will.